“Pat was the two pretty much all year long, Thigpen was three,” Ireland said to a group of national media. ”They have to go back into training camp and the offseason program and they’re going to be fighting for the 2-3 positions, and I think both of those guys are going to be fighting for the one position. I think Tyler is going to go into it thinking, ‘I can win this job,’ and Pat’s going to do the same thing. We feel like we’ve got three young, good quarterbacks on our roster that can contribute on this team.”

If Thigpen has a chance to win the No. 2 job, it's a sign that White isn't being counted on for a big role in Wildcat packages. Ireland's statement can also be taken as an admission that there's no room for Chad Pennington in Miami.

INDIANAPOLIS — General manager Jeff Ireland can’t say whether the 2009 Dolphins would have been better with Chad Pennington at quarterback.

But Pennington’s season-ending right shoulder injury in Week 3 at San Diego gave the Dolphins a chance for a good look at Chad Henne.

“We have young players, have to see them develop,” Ireland said. “I don’t have a crystal ball, so I don’t know how much better off we were without Chad Pennington. But Chad Henne is our quarterback right now.

“His playing time and the experience he had in 2009 was exceptional. He was put in some tough situations, and he needs to develop. I’m very pleased.”

But plenty of questions remain about the Dolphins quarterback situation, beginning with the possible return of Pennington.

Pennington, who turns 34 on June 26, is a free agent coming off his third surgery to his throwing shoulder, but could help a quarterback-needy team like St. Louis.

He also could help the Dolphins as a veteran backup, while continuing to mentor Henne.

In fact, if Pennington returns and is healthy, he might give Henne a run for the starting job in training camp.

Some battle.....barring a major pre-season injury, Tyler Thigpen will easily win the "battle" for that #2 QB slot. In fact, he might give Henne a little run for his money. The one thing I like about Thigpen is his mobility. He adds another dimension to the offense in that regard.

_________________Philbin's countenance exudes confidence!1984 was so long ago...Will there ever be another rainbow?

Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:52 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Phins Rock wrote:

??

White was in the same role with Pennington in, and with him out...so to specify seemed ridiculous.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:44 pm

Phins Rock

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Ok. Lol.

Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:59 pm

spdolphs

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Quote:

In fact, if Pennington returns and is healthy, he might give Henne a run for the starting job in training camp.

I don't see how this would "build for the future". It's not a situation like the Vikings had where the only position that needed an upgrade was quarterback. Unless Henne completely falls apart or has a pre-season injury I am sure he has the starting job locked up.

White was listed as the #2 QB a lot last year so he could be used in the WC. I don't think the #3 QB can enter the game unless the #1 is injured and can't return.

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Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:00 am

Phins Rock

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

The number 3 can come in at any time, but once he does the starter and backup cannot come in until some point in the 4th quarter.

Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:28 am

Steve Zissou

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

I don't mean to be harsh but right now White has little to no value unless we're committing to running the option. Even then its not like Thigpen isn't capable since you've seen him take direct snap/QB sneaks. Now Pat has run a 4.5 & Tyler a 4.7 so theres a clear difference but Pat hasn't completed a pass . . . Tyler has more size & is almost as mobile. Ya'll have seen him run w/ a receiving TD vs TB & Oh, he showed some stuff here - http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2008122102/2008/REG16/dolphins@chiefs/watch

I know you're saying we can't drop Pat so soon after we drafted him. Its not that I want to either (I have a White jersey). But my point is that we have 2 other QBs with more to offer our team right now. Thigpen is better & if we could some how convince Pennington to stay on as a back up, the veteran experience & leadership will go so much farther for our team

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Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:55 am

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Phins Rock wrote:

The number 3 can come in at any time, but once he does the starter and backup cannot come in until some point in the 4th quarter.

Sure, he can come in at any time, but if that time is before the 4th quarter you can't use your other quarterbacks for the remainder of the game.

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Sat Feb 27, 2010 2:12 pm

eleaf

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

bobby0112 wrote:

White was listed as the #2 QB a lot last year so he could be used in the WC. I don't think the #3 QB can enter the game unless the #1 is injured and can't return.

If QB #3 is listed as the Emergency QB (he is not counted against the 45 man game day roster), he cannot enter the game until the 4th quarter without ramifications. If he does enter the game before the 4th quarter, neither the #1 or #2 QB can come back in the game even if they are healthy.

That is why White was listed as the #2. So that he could come in the game for his Pistol package without disqualifying Henne from re-entering.

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Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:26 pm

MTFan

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

FrustratedFinFan wrote:

In fact, he might give Henne a little run for his money. The one thing I like about Thigpen is his mobility. He adds another dimension to the offense in that regard.

Henne better stay healthy or he might never see the field in a dolphin uniform again.

Sat Feb 27, 2010 9:47 pm

catman_56

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

I liked Thigpen when I saw him in KC. I think this guy has a lot of potential and could emerge into a real player. Pat White has never looked comfortable to me as an NFL QB. I think it is time for a position change to WR. He looks way too short and frail for the NFL game at QB.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 3:07 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

catman_56 wrote:

I think this guy has a lot of potential and could emerge into a real player.

He is what you've seen. No more, no less.

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Sun Feb 28, 2010 3:34 pm

Phins Rock

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

I don't think so iowa. I think he still has a lot of room to grow. Remember he wasn't even recruited to play QB in college, and he ended up going to a D III school. He's only going into his 4th season.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:45 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Phins Rock wrote:

Remember he wasn't even recruited to play QB in college

Exactly, which means teams won't tolerate his huge learning curve, and he'll never get to start a whole season. What you see is what you get with him, because his progress will be so slow.

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Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:14 pm

Phins Rock

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

His progress has been pretty darn quick so far....

Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:06 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Phins Rock wrote:

His progress has been pretty darn quick so far....

You don't need to swear to make a point, you need evidence.

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Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:22 pm

Phins Rock

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

OK, how about his play in KC 2 seasons ago, in just his 2nd NFL season?? He was awesome.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:06 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Phins Rock wrote:

OK, how about his play in KC 2 seasons ago, in just his 2nd NFL season?? He was awesome.

How is that progress? He started the same as he finished, and that is inconsistent. Even in his one quarter with Miami we saw how he can throw a TD, improv with the best of them, but then turn around and throw two ill advised throws.

He hasn't improved...he is A.J. Feeley all over again. He can lead an offense to a few scores, and maybe even lead a last minute drive, but when it's all said and done, his improvisation leads to too many mistakes.

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Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:18 pm

1984phins

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

how about we just cut Pat White and keep Pennington.

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Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:35 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

1984phins wrote:

how about we just cut Pat White and keep Pennington.

I'd be ok with trading White to a team not in the division for a sandwich, but not just flat out cutting him, and especially not cutting him for a player that really won't be able to provide much as far as playing...the guy's shoulder is wrecked.

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Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:38 pm

tonelaxn13

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Iowafin wrote:

Phins Rock wrote:

OK, how about his play in KC 2 seasons ago, in just his 2nd NFL season?? He was awesome.

How is that progress? He started the same as he finished, and that is inconsistent. Even in his one quarter with Miami we saw how he can throw a TD, improv with the best of them, but then turn around and throw two ill advised throws.

He hasn't improved...he is A.J. Feeley all over again. He can lead an offense to a few scores, and maybe even lead a last minute drive, but when it's all said and done, his improvisation leads to too many mistakes.

Just because he wasn't the savior in his first year as a starter in KC and didn't single-handedly beat Pittsburgh in his one quarter all season for us doesn't mean he can't improve.

I'm a fan of Henne and think he'll be the week 1 starter, but I just don't agree at all calling Thigpen the next AJ Feeley right now. The fact is that both QBs have the ability to improve, and I think they both will. Having more starting experience with this offense gives Henne the clear edge right now.

Pat White is as good as gone IMO. The truer QB competition would be between Henne and Thigpen if there really is going to be one.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:36 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

tonelaxn13 wrote:

Iowafin wrote:

Phins Rock wrote:

OK, how about his play in KC 2 seasons ago, in just his 2nd NFL season?? He was awesome.

How is that progress? He started the same as he finished, and that is inconsistent. Even in his one quarter with Miami we saw how he can throw a TD, improv with the best of them, but then turn around and throw two ill advised throws.

He hasn't improved...he is A.J. Feeley all over again. He can lead an offense to a few scores, and maybe even lead a last minute drive, but when it's all said and done, his improvisation leads to too many mistakes.

Just because he wasn't the savior in his first year as a starter in KC and didn't single-handedly beat Pittsburgh in his one quarter all season for us doesn't mean he can't improve.

I'm a fan of Henne and think he'll be the week 1 starter, but I just don't agree at all calling Thigpen the next AJ Feeley right now. The fact is that both QBs have the ability to improve, and I think they both will. Having more starting experience with this offense gives Henne the clear edge right now.

Pat White is as good as gone IMO. The truer QB competition would be between Henne and Thigpen if there really is going to be one.

It doesn't take long to figure out if a QB has "it" or not. Henne does, Thigpen doesn't. He's a fine backup, and can move an offense...but so is AJ Feeley.

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Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:53 pm

tonelaxn13

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

Iowafin wrote:

It doesn't take long to figure out if a QB has "it" or not. Henne does, Thigpen doesn't. He's a fine backup, and can move an offense...but so is AJ Feeley.

I guess we just simply disagree here. I think Thigpen could be more than a backup someday, but I'm happy with Henne starting. Having "it" is a pretty subjective matter anyways.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:34 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

tonelaxn13 wrote:

Having "it" is a pretty subjective matter anyways.

You are correct. That's how I end arguments that I can't win, I use subjective material.

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Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:01 pm

catman_56

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Re: Ireland: Tyler Thigpen and Pat White to battle for #2 QB

I think Thigpen is actually a better fit than White for the wildcat/change of pace offense. He has a lot more NFL experience, is bigger, throws better, and has good speed.

I think it is too early to completely give up on White. However, I think his new role should be as a "slash" type of WR/RB/QB.